Many Hispanic American survivors of breast, endometrial or ovarian cancers will soon have a tool for potentially lowering their offspring’s cancer risk by raising the “health value” of their families’ choices. “Con Cariño, Abuelita” (“With love, Grandma”) is designed for cancer survivors who are grandmothers and mothers. The app not only addresses lifestyle behaviors like healthy eating and physical activity, but also engages in culturally relevant stories and parenting skills.

A companion app, “Healthy Juntos” (Healthy Together), aims to improve lifestyle behaviors and prevent obesity among Hispanic adolescents and their parents.

“I wanted this to be something that connected them at many levels so that it became the venue for ongoing discussion, melding healthy eating and exercise into the larger context of family relationships,” said Sara Mijares St. George, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School, who is leading the development of both apps.